One thing that can never be said about the UK’s Mastiff is that they’re not heavy or not heavy enough. And somehow, on their second full length — and first for APF Records — Plague, the band is at their absolute heaviest, musically and lyrically. Their concoction of hardcore, grind, and sludge seethes with aggressive and downtrodden misanthropy complete with enough frustration and hatred for the status quo to last ten lifetimes. If it sounds dark and menacing that’s because it is and was built that way. Experiencing Plague is the closest thing to actually living through one and coming out the back side scarred and bruised for life – such is the power of Mastiff. We recently asked guitarist James Andrew Lee our set of Profile questions and he was an absolute champ with his answers that shine a light on him, the band and its background. Head below to see what he had to say and DO NOT miss out on Plague — we’ve included some handy links specifically for that purpose.Continue reading →

Warsaw, Poland based Hostia will be your favorite grindcore band on the strength of their self-titled debut full length due out this week on Via Nocturna. And you’ve probably never heard of them. Strong statement? Maybe. But they made us believers with their venomous approach to an already devastating genre. It’s thirteen songs of spewed bile rallying against religion, establishment and the boring status quo that sucks you in from the opening bell of “Corroded Cross” and finds you picking up teeth along the way to closer “Karl’s Delicatessen.” Plus, the production on this thing is such that not a second is wasted or lost under the weight of blasts and warp speed riffs. Just ahead of Hostia we sat down with the band to get acquainted via our set of Profile questions. Read on to see what they had to say and be sure to support the band from the links contained within. Continue reading →

WAKE‘s latest offering of grindcore brutality, Misery Rites, was released this past Friday and I’m hoping you picked up a copy. If not, and grindcore or anything extreme pleases you, get on that asap. Vincent heaped praise on it in his feature review and really, any praise this thing receives is warranted. The band has been “grinding” it out since 2009 and have matured like a fine bourbon ever since; aggressive yet infinitely more complex and well-rounded with each outing. Ragers such as “Embers and “Rumination” pretty much set WAKE as the current reigning champs of grind but then…death metal on “Paradigm Lost” and a dusting of hardcore on “Bitter Winter” and you’ve got, quite possibly, the band’s finest moment. Anyway, I could go on and on about this thing but you’re here to see what drummer Josh Brueckert had to say to our Profile questions. But, before you get started scroll about halfway down and hit the play button, then read through. And by all means, get yourself a copy of Misery Rites. Continue reading →